The Mage Association.
Ning Busan emerged from the spatial portal onto the top of the tower. He didn't find Teacher Saige, but instead found Novalia and Isabella there.
As soon as he appeared, Isabella fanned the air near her nose with her hand, her face filled with disgust:
“You smell of a strong scent of dark magic. It's suffocating!”
She was a light-element mage, making her extremely sensitive to dark elements.
Just a short while ago when she saw Ning Busan, he was perfectly normal. How did he now look like he had been soaked in a vat of dark elements?
Ning Busan wasn't about to indulge her. He sneered, “You certainly know how to act like the master of the house. If you really can't stand the sight of me, you're more than welcome to leave.”
Isabella clung to Novalia's arm and said coaxingly, “Sister Novalia, did I say something wrong?
“But I have no family or friends here, and Sister is the only one I know. Sister wouldn't kick me out just because Brother Ning Busan doesn't welcome me, right?”
This cloyingly sweet voice made Ning Busan's fists clench in annoyance.
It seemed this woman not only had princess syndrome, but was also a total green tea!
Novalia cleared her throat slightly and said, “Actually... Ning Busan is younger than you.”
Isabella's expression twisted for a split second before she smiled sweetly again. “Don't worry, Sister Novalia. During the competition, I'll definitely go easy on Little Brother Ning Busan.”
“There's absolutely no need for that,” Ning Busan scoffed, retorting sharply. “Just try not to cry too hard when you lose.”
Isabella immediately bristled. Before she and Ning Busan could start bickering, Novalia put an end to their war of words.
“Isabella, Ning Busan and I have things to discuss. Vinya made some delicious cookies. Why don't you go back and try some first?”
Isabella was a bit displeased, but she still obediently agreed to Novalia's request. “Alright, Sister Novalia.”
Once Isabella left, Ning Busan looked at Novalia with a complex gaze and asked, “What's the deal with that woman?”
Novalia gave a helpless smile. “When the xenos invaded the Holy Light Territory before, I led the Thorns Legion to help them defend their territory.
“Because I used magic to save her and her father, she admired me greatly and wanted to become a mage like me.
“I taught her magic for a while, acting as her first magic teacher. Later, when her magical talent was revealed, she became a student of Grand Archmage Mowen.
“Only, by that time, I was no longer a mage.”
Ning Busan sighed inwardly, not expecting such a history between them.
Ning Busan asked softly, “Novalia, when you look at Isabella, do you ever think of your former self?”
Novalia chuckled softly. “If I hadn't lost my magical talent, I'd probably be even more arrogant than she is now.”
“I will help you restore your magical talent. That day won't be too far off.”
Ning Busan's voice was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable certainty.
Novalia's brow furrowed slightly. “What are you planning to do?
“Unless the Demon King of Greed is willing to return my magical talent, I will never be able to sense magical elements again.”
Knowing that Ning Busan's words were no joke, Novalia warned him seriously:
“Ning Busan, making a deal with the Demon King of Greed was my own choice. It has nothing to do with you.
“If you want to take back what was traded from a demon, the price to pay will be even greater.”
Ning Busan had his own plans. He gave a hum of agreement and offered no further explanation, instead changing the subject. “Where is Teacher Saige?”
Novalia said, “Now that mages from all over have gathered in the empire, some of his old friends have also arrived.”
“So he went to catch up with old friends. No wonder he wasn't around when I came looking for him these past few days,” Ning Busan said. “With the Mage Exchange Conference just around the corner, I wanted to ask him what the competition would entail.”
“I know about that,” Novalia said. “The competition will be held in the Shadow Forest. Any mage under the age of four hundred can participate.
“The competition format is a nameplate snatching battle. Every mage will enter the Shadow Forest carrying a nameplate. After seven days, whoever has the most nameplates will win.”
Ning Busan fell into thought. “No restrictions on the methods used?”
Novalia nodded. “No restrictions.”
Ning Busan asked, “Who do you think will win?”
Novalia said, “Betting pools for this competition have been set up in both the noble districts and the slums. Currently, Isabella has the lowest odds.
“Isabella is an Archmage, and she can fight alongside her contracted elf. For elves, the forest is their home turf, so they have a natural advantage.”
Ning Busan asked, “Do you also think Isabella will win?”
“No,” Novalia said. “Ning Busan, I'm betting on you to win.”
“...Why?”
Novalia shrugged. “No reason. I just want you to win.”
Ning Busan smiled. “If I win, can you promise me one thing?”
Novalia raised an eyebrow. “What do you want me to do?”
Ning Busan smiled slightly. “You'll find out when the time comes.”
He was afraid that if he said it now, Novalia would beat him up.
...
Not long after, the Mage Exchange Conference began, held near the Shadow Forest.
A cute, angel-like girl and an elegant, powerful, handsome elf—this duo became highly sought after by many mages.
On one hand, Isabella was an Archmage who could guide their magic.
On the other hand, they also wanted to see what a legendary elf actually looked like.
In contrast, Ning Busan had almost no popularity.
Although he was Saige's student, his time learning magic had been too short, so everyone assumed he was a novice.
No one knew he had already become an Advanced Mage, let alone that he was actually an all-element mage.
Furthermore, Ning Busan kept a low profile, so most mages did not take him seriously.
Three days later, these young mages had all gotten to know and become familiar with one another.
The Nameplate Snatching Battle was about to begin.
Rate on N.U.
